I have moved....

I have made the decision to go self hosted sooner rather than later, but nothing else is changing! You can now find me here

www.allyouneedisloveandcake.co.uk

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Baker Days Letterbox Cake Review

When Baker Days contacted me and asked me if I would be interested in reviewing one of their cakes I jumped at the chance. It is Michael's birthday at the end of the week, so I thought I would get one personalised for him. My main problem was choosing a design, there were so many and something to suit every occasion, even just to let someone know you are thinking of them.

 The concept is simple enough, its a cake that can fit through the letterbox and can be delivered next day, however there are a few added touches which make this product so great. Each letterbox size cake comes in its own tin box, so it doesn't get damaged in the post. It also contains a gift tag, 3 balloons, 2 candles and a party blower. The tin itself has a little bag of drying agent in the top, to keep the cake dry and a tag to pull the cake out with - Baker Days really have thought of everything!

I was really impressed with the quality of the cake itself. You can choose between sponge, carrot, fruit, and choc chip, they even offer a gluten free option. I had been sent carrot cake, which was lovely. When I opened it, it looked brilliant. The cake was moist and very tasty and we all really enjoyed it. It is advertised as 3-4 portions, and it gives 4 generous portions.

I would certainly be thrilled to receive one of these on a special occasion, and its also perfect as a last minute gift (lets be honest we have all forgotten someones birthday/anniversary etc).

Disclaimer - I was sent the letterbox cake for the purpose of this review, however all opinions are my own

Silent Sunday - 9th June 2013

Saturday is caption day!

On our visit to Elvaston Castle yesterday, something caught Sophie's eye, but what could it be?!

Photos of Elvaston Castle

We are really lucky with where we live, 20 minutes in one direction and we are in the peak district, and 20 minutes in the other direction and we are in the centre of the city, which has some amazing parks and open spaces.

One of our very favourite places is Elvaston Castle. With beautiful scenery and plenty of wildlife it is the perfect place to spend the day. I think the photos speak for themselves!

Sophie was very pleased to have mastered the play park! Shes getting so much more confident

Catch up Sophie!

We had lots of fun feeding the ducks and geese!

I love the contrast of woods and open spaces

One tired little girl!

Thanks for looking! x

Turkey skewers with homemade flatbread and griddled corn

I don't use turkey for cooking very often, its solely reserved for Christmas in our house - which is a shame really as its such a healthy meat - so when Britmums teamed up with Lean on Turkey to set the Summer Turkey Recipe Challenge, I though it was a great opportunity to get to grips with turkey and here's what I came up with.

This is the perfect summer recipe as everything (including the flatbread) can be cooked on a BBQ and is lovely eaten outside.

Serves 4 

Ready in 30 minutes

For the flatbread

200g plain flour

100mls water

rind of one lemon

1 tsp ground cumin

0.5 tsp of chilli powder

For the kebabs

400g turkey chunks

125ml pot natural yoghurt

4 tbsp Tikka curry powder

200g button mushrooms

200g cherry tomatoes

To serve

4 mini corn on the cob

Mixed salad leaves (I used rocket, baby spinach and watercress)

Riata and mango chutney

Method

1. Mix together the natural yoghurt and tikka powder and and then mix in the turkey pieces
2. Put the mini corn on the cob in a large pan of boiling water for 15 mins then set aside
3. Mix all the ingredients for the flat bread into a smooth dough, then split into four and on a well floured surface roll each one out to a couple of mm's thick
4. Using wooden or metal skewers, thread on the marinated turkey, mushrooms and tomatoes and place under a preheated grill for 15 - 20 mins, turning frequently
5. Heat up a large frying pan or griddle pan and cook the flatbreads one at a time for a couple of minutes each side
6. When all the flatbreads are cooked, put the corn in the griddle pad, turning frequently until it is nicely browned
7. Serve with mixed salad leaves and raita and mango chutney dips

 This post is an entry for BritMums’ Summer Turkey Recipe Challenge

The importance of swimming lessons

When I was in the hospital with Sophie the midwife gave her a bath and was amazed that she didn't once cry 'they normally don't like their first bath' I was told. Since then Sophie's love of water has grown. She loved bath time so much that when she was around 5 weeks old we enrolled her for some private swimming lessons.

I was really nervous on her first lesson, not quite sure what to expect from her, being in the bath was very different to being in a swimming pool, but she loved it! Since then she has gone from strength to strength and loves the water so much. Swimming with her is amazing, shes so keen and excited and we recently went to a local pool with a flume that you could take children down on your lap. Each time we got to the bottom she was dunked under the water and came up with a huge smile shouting again - we were exhausted by the end of it!

But enjoyment isn't the only reason we love swimming, there's also a safety aspect. I know if she fell into some water she wouldn't panic, shes been taught from very early on, that when you jump/fall in you turn around and go back to the side. Of course this is no guarantee, but it makes me feel better knowing that she has been taught basic water safety. You hear so many stories of children falling into the water on days out and on holidays ending in tragedy.

I would recommend all children to have swimming lessons if only to teach basic water safety. There are so many organisations now that teach swimming for babies - Water Babies and Puddle Ducks are just a couple, local leisure centres run lessons, or you may be lucky enough (as we were) to find a private instructor.

Another really important thing that has been highlighted recently, is actually knowing when someone is drowning - and its something that I wouldn't have thought about myself, but I have seen the following link passed around a fair few times since yesterday, and with holiday season upon us its a must read for anyone who goes swimming where children are present - Drowning doesn't look like drowning